.-Where the National Bank is satisfied that owing to drought, famine or other natural calamities, military operations or enemy action, any State co-operative bank, Central co-operative bank, regional rural bank or any such financial institution or any financial institution falling under any such class of financial institutions, as may be approved by the Reserve Bank in this behalf, requires assistance under this section, it may provide to such bank or institution such financial assistance as it may deem fit by way of making loans and advances repayable on the expiry of fixed periods not exceeding seven years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in this behalf by the National Bank:

Provided that loans and advances may be made under this section only for the purpose of enabling the borrowing bank or institution,-

(a) to pay any dues to the National Bank for credit extended for financing agricultural operations or the marketing of crops under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 21, or

(b) to make loans or advances to Central co-operative banks or primary rural credit societies in cases where the borrowing bank is a State co-operative bank, and